High school girl wins grand prize for art competition on women empowerment

Artwork from youth across India, Nepal and Bhutan was selected from over 2,000 entries received for the 2014 calendar art competition organized by the High Commission of Canada in India and Bombardier Transportation

Alisha Mahajan, a 17-year-old student of D.A.V. Public School in Amritsar, Punjab, was named grand prize winner of the 2014 Annual Calendar Art Competition, a joint initiative by the High Commission of Canada in India and rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation. The artwork of 12 other young artists is also featured in the 2014 Calendar.

This year’s calendar showcases gender equality in the workplace and community and is entitled Women Hold up Half the Sky: Equal opportunities for girls and women. Bombardier, a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, endorses Women’s Empowerment Principles as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment. By recruiting and retaining diverse talent across the company, Bombardier promotes gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community.

The 13 winning young people were celebrated in an award ceremony at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi. For the third edition of the art competition, the jury reviewed over 2,000 paintings submitted by children and teenagers aged 10 to 18 from India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Harsh Dinghra, Chief Country Representative India, Bombardier Transportation, said: “As a global leader in rail technology and as part of our growth strategy, Bombardier supports various initiatives linked to education, environment and entrepreneurship across the world. This is the third consecutive year Bombardier with the High Commission of Canada has organized this art competition. Given the importance, being placed on women issues in India, it is noteworthy to see the vision, excitement and creativity of India's youth in addressing the theme of gender equality.”

About Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIERECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

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